Danish shipping giant Maersk is strengthening its Western Mediterranean–West Africa shipping network through a new service and revisions to three existing services, aiming to improve direct connectivity and provide broader access to key markets across West and Central Africa.
Announced on October 19, 2026, the changes will introduce the new WAF1 service and update port coverage for WAF3, WAF5 and WAF6. The revised arrangements are scheduled to take effect from the third week of December 2026 in the Western Mediterranean, although schedules remain subject to change.
New WAF1 Service Connects Dakar
The new WAF1 service will operate on the following rotation:
Algeciras – Tangier – Dakar – Algeciras
The service will provide a dedicated connection to Dakar, Senegal, improving access for cargo originating in the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East through Maersk’s wider network.
Algeciras in Spain and Tangier in Morocco will serve as key gateways linking Mediterranean shipping routes with West African markets.
WAF5 Expands Regional Coverage
Maersk will introduce a revised Western Mediterranean rotation for WAF5, covering additional ports across West Africa.
The planned rotation is:
Algeciras – Tangier – Monrovia – Abidjan – Takoradi – San-Pedro – Lagos – Algeciras
The revised service is designed to strengthen coverage across Central West Africa and support regional export flows. It will connect Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria with the Western Mediterranean through a single service rotation.
WAF3 and WAF6 Receive Additional Port Calls
The WAF3 service will expand its coverage to include Tema in Ghana, Onne in Nigeria and Pointe-Noire in the Republic of the Congo. These additions will provide more direct connections between the Western Mediterranean and important West and Central African cargo markets.
Meanwhile, WAF6 will add Cotonou in Benin to its service coverage, extending Maersk’s reach into another regional market.
The company has not published complete revised rotations for WAF3 and WAF6 in its latest announcement.
Improving Trade Connectivity
The network adjustments are intended to provide shippers with more direct port connections and improved access to regional markets. The changes could also create additional routing options for exporters, importers and freight forwarders handling containerised cargo between Europe, the Mediterranean and Africa.
For West African businesses, expanded port coverage may improve access to international shipping networks and support the movement of agricultural products, manufactured goods and other exports.
With the revised services planned for December, Maersk is continuing to adapt its network to regional cargo demand and strengthen connections between major Mediterranean hubs and emerging African trade markets.